First-Ordered Linear Equations

I. Linear Differential Equations of the First Order

The standard form of a linear differential equation of the first order, derived either from
or simply , is written in the following manner:

or simply,

where P and Q are both functions of x.

REMARK: Note that is linear in the dependent variable y and first order in the
derivative of y relative to x. Where the dependent variable is y, the standard form is:

where P and Q are functions of y.

II. Solutions to Linear Equations of the First Order

The solution of , using an integrating factor, is as follows:

Write in the form , that is:

{ }

Note that this is not an exact equation since:

and

which are not equal.

To determine a possible integrating factor, try where the integrating factor is a function of x
alone.

( )

{ }
Therefore and the integrating factor is:

Multiply each term by the integrating factor to obtain

{ }

where ∫

Expand to give

∫ ∫ ∫

Note that the left side of the equation is the exact differential of ∫ so

{ ∫ } ∫

Integrate to give

{ ∫ } ∫ ∫

or simply

where: ∫

REMARK: ∫ therefore represents the solution of the first-ordered linear

equation of . For the other standard form given by , the solution is
likewise:

where: ∫
III. Summary of Solving First Order Linear Differential Equation

1. If the given differential equation is a First Order Linear Differential Equation, write it in its
standard form which is:

where P and Q are both functions of x.

2. Identify the integrating factor, , using the formula:

3. Substitute the integrating factor, , and the or in the formula:

a. For

b. For

4. Integrate and simplify to solve the problem.

 IV. Example Problems

Problem 1

Find the general solution of

Solution

a) Expand the given equation and rearrange

which is the standard form of a linear equation of the first order. Here we have

and

b) The integrating factor is:

∫ ∫ ⁄
or

or

c) The solution by ∫ is
∫

And finally, we obtain

Problem 2

Find the complete solution of

Solution

a) Write the given D.E. in the standard form, that is,

where: and

b) The integrating factor is

c) The solution by ∫ is

and
Problem 3

Find the solution of

Solution

a) Divide each term in the given D.E. by and rearrange to get

where:

b) The integrating factor is

∫ ∫ ⁄

or

c) The solution by ∫ is

⁄
∫

Integrate and simplify, hence

⁄
Problem 4

Determine the solution of

Solution

a) Reduce the given equation to the standard form

where: and

b) The integrating factor is

∫ ∫ ⁄

or

c) The solution by ∫ is

∫ ( )

or

d) When , and , so